Point Reyes National Seashore offers a variety of free, curriculum-based, ranger-led programs for students Kindergarten-8th grades.

Reservations for our programs for 2011-2012 are available beginning August 1, 2011 at 8 am. Programs for the 2011-2012 school year are offered from September 13, 2011 through May 24, 2012 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings, except for holidays and spring break.  

Please call Mary Beth Shenton at (415) 464-5139 if you have any questions. To make a reservation include the information below in the body of an email, and send it, no earlier than August1, 2012 at 8 am, to:

PORE_Education@nps.gov (please note the underscore (_) after PORE)

The information I will need to make a reservation includes:

Your Name

Co-Teacher's Name (if relevant)

Your Phone Number

Your Email

School Name

School Address

School Phone Number

Program Requested (i.e. Kule Loklo, Discovering Elephant Seals)

Total Number of Students

1st Choice Date/Time

2nd Choice Date/Time

3rd Choice Date/Time

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Programs Offered

Grades K-3 - Wild about Wildlife

Grades 3-4 - Kule Loklo

Grade 4 - Point Reyes Lighthouse

Grades 4-5 - Marine Life

Grades 6-8 - Whale Watching

Grades 6-8 - Elephant Seal Watching

Grades 6-8 - Monitoring Creek Health

Grades K-3 - Wild about Wildlife
Students discover the diversity of wildlife within Point Reyes National Seashore in this 3-tiered approach. Through a series of activities, games, and stories, kindergarteners are introduced to the concept of wild animals. First and second graders focus on the interrelationship of animals and their habitats, while third graders learn about ecosystems, and adaptations. Takes place at Bear Valley. Bus accessible. Offered September through May, Tuesday - Friday, at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Duration 1 hr.

See corresponding:
State of California Kindergarten Standards
State of California First Grade Standards
State of California Second Grade Standards
State of California Third Grade Standards

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Grades 3-4 - Kule Loklo
Students learn about the traditions and land-use ethics of the Coast Miwok people as they tour a recreated village at Bear Valley. Bus accessible. Offered September through May, Tuesday - Friday, at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Duration 1 hr.

See corresponding:
State of California Third Grade Standards
State of California Fourth Grade Standards

Grade 4 - Point Reyes Lighthouse
In addition to touring the Point Reyes Lighthouse and viewing its original clockworks, students use nautical charts and maps to determine why it was important to build a lighthouse at Point Reyes. Takes place at the Point Reyes lighthouse. Parking lot is bus accessible. Offered September through May on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Duration 1 hr.

See corresponding:
State of California Fourth Grade Standards

Grade 4-5 - Marine Life
After completing the pre-visit curricula on oceanography and marine biology, students use spotting scopes and binoculars to watch migratory gray whales. Migratory whale watching (March through May) takes place at the Poin Reyes lighthouse. Parking lot is bus accessible. Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Duration 1.5 hrs.

See corresponding:
State of California Fourth Grade Standards
State of California Fifth Grade Standards

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Grades 6-8 - Whale Watching
Students learn about the life and adaptations of Pacific gray whales as they watch for these ocean giants migrating past the Point Reyes peninsula. Takes place at the Point Reyes lighthouse. Parking lot is bus accessible. Offered March through early May on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Duration 1.5 hrs.

Observing Pacific Gray Whales Curriculum Guide 170 pages (840 KB PDF)

Grades 6-8 - Elephant Seal Watching
Using spotting scopes and binoculars, students bear witness to yearly arrival of the elephant seals and learn about the behaviors of these deep sea giants. Takes place near the Chimney Rock parking lot. NOT bus accessible. Carpools required. Offered January and February, Tuesday - Friday, at 10:30 a.m. Duration 1.5 hrs.

Discovering Northern Elephant Seals Curriculum Guide 158 pages (1.7 MB PDF)

Grades 6-8 - Monitoring Creek Health
Students learn how to monitor the health of a creek through hands-on tests and observations. Must complete in-class curriculum prior to visit. Takes place at Bear Valley. Bus accessible. Offered September through May, Tuesday - Friday, at 10:30 a.m. Duration 2 hrs.

Monitoring Creek Health Curriculum Guide 117 pages (1.8 MB PDF)

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